Townsville mayor fined after altercation with LNP staffer on pub crawl

Townsville mayor Nick Dametto fined and issued infringement notice after incident on island pub crawl Townsville's mayor has been fined and issued an infringement notice for public nuisance after an altercation with a state member's staffer at a bar on Magnetic Island in June. Police have been investigating an alleged assault that took place at a Nelly Bay venue on June 7 between Mayor Nick Dametto and a 28-year-old staffer of LNP member for Townsville Adam Baillie. The mayor was visiting the island as part of a pub crawl facilitated by a local tourism operator. Mr Baillie was never accused of any wrongdoing. After days of refusing media requests, Cr Dametto eventually broke his silence more than a week after the incident, saying it was "over-inflated". He said he did not expect charges or "anything of the sort" to be laid over the incident. Loading...But police today confirmed their investigation had been finalised and that Cr Dametto had been issued an infringement notice for disorderly behaviour near a licensed premises and fined $1,036. No charges have been laid. When he first addressed the media after the event, Cr Dametto said he "absolutely" expected to maintain a constructive working relationship with Mr Baillie. Cr Dametto, a former Katter's Australia Party MP, resigned from state parliament and his former party to run for mayor in November 2025. He previously received criticism after being pictured drinking a full-strength beer on a restricted beach on one of the Palm Islands. The ABC has contacted the mayor for comment.